FIRST TIME CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT DIXIE
Birch Run, Michigan’s Dixie Motor Speedway held it’s Annual Awards Banquet Saturday January 11th, 2003 at the Albee Township Community Center. The annual event typically was set for the first Saturday of December, but due to a scheduling conflict, was scheduled in January instead.
The 2002 Season officially came to a close as Sponsors, Drivers, Crews and Fans were recognized for their achievement, support and dedication to the sport. Champions were crowned as Whittemore’s Ryan Ostrander claimed Late Model honors, Clio’s Mark Besaw in Modifieds, Factory Stock Champion was Brown City’s Corey Hurley, Figure-8 Champion Eric Gilbert from Flushing and Flint’s Gerry Persails, Jr. in Super Mini-Trucks. Interestingly, all are first-time Champions – a testament to the level of competition at the track. Numerous track sponsors were honored for their support over the 2002 season and David Wasalaski was recognized as Dixie’s Race Fan of the Year.
There is a great deal of attention and anticipation regarding the 2003 season, as drivers will do battle on the only new track in the Midwest. The soon to be completed project will boast a high-bank, 4/10 mile, D-shape asphalt oval. So-long freight train! It’s gonna be 3-wide racing from now on as drivers are eagerly anticipating the opening date of April 25 for the "New-From-The-Ground-Up" Speedplant. No one driver will have an edge as they all will start with a clean sheet of paper. There are no notes to fall back on which will give less experienced competitors the same advantage as the wily veterans. Some of the top Super Late Model drivers in the Midwest have already made inquiries and are expected to compete in 4 SLM events including 1or 2 Main Event Series dates. After a 2-year absence, the Auto Value Super Sprint Series is scheduled to set the track record on Thursday, July 3rd and the new Wolverine Outlaw Winged Midget Series is on tap for August 1st. The fastest and baddest will be at Dixie to claim bragging rights at Michigan’s only new asphalt oval. They can’t wait and we can’t either.
You can find the schedule, rules and further updates at WWW.DixieMotorSpeedway.com or call the track at 989.624.9778.
Thank you to all who made 2002 a huge success including Drivers, Crews, Fans and Sponsors. See you April 25th at the Season Opener.
Eric Gilbert - Fig 8's, Ryan Ostrander - Late Models, Gerald Persails Jr.- Mini-Trucks; Mark Besaw - Mods & Corey Hurley - Factory Stocks